“Sweet Win for Michigan, 5-0 Over Alabama” Written By Bill Plummer
OKLAHOMA CITY — How was Michigan's game against Alabama in the Women's College World Series? It was Sweet.
Catcher Laura Sweet smashed a grand slam homer in a four-run fourth inning to propel Michigan to a win 5-0 over Alabama in the third of four games in the WCWS Thursday.
The grand slam by Sweet was her 12th homer of the year and the 117th hit by the Wolverines who have been one of the hottest teams in Division One. The win Thursday was their 26th in the row and the third time they have beaten Alabama (47-14) this season.
Michigan pitcher Megan Betsa mixed her pitches well in getting her 31st win of the season, allowing four hits, all singles. It was her 17th win during the Michigan win streak and the second time this season that Alabama has been shutout this season. She allowed only one hit through the first five innings before Alabama collected two singles in the sixth inning from Demi Turner and Jadyn Spencer, but Betsa got Marisa Runyon to pop out to third to end the inning and the threat. Alabama got another single in the seventh from pinch hitter Andrea Hawkins, but Betsa struck out pinch hitter Kallie Case to end the game. It was Megan's sixth strikeout of the game.
Alabama freshman Alexis Osorio took the loss (21-9) and allowed four hits including Sweet's homer and a two-out solo homer by Kelly Christner with two out in the first inning. It was her 21st homer of the season. She was a reserve on the team last year but worked and worked during the summer and has developed into one of the team's top players. She had only three homers and a .299 batting average last year.
Michigan (57-6) will face the winner of Thursday's final game between Oregon and UCLA Friday at 8:30.
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 Bill Plummer A graduate of Indiana University, Ind. Bill has been involved in softball for more than four decades. For 30years he was a fixture at the ASA National Office as a communications coordinator, manager of the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame and historian. In addition, he also served as the editor of the ASA official newsletter, The Inside Pitch, and as the Trade Show Manager. He has written widely about the sport and has contributed to 14 books. In 2009, he authored “The Game America Plays.” In 2012, he co-authored “Best of the Best-Women’s Fastpitch.” In 2014, ” A Series of Their Own. The History of the Women's College World Series.” He has been elected to five halls of fame, including the ASA National. In 1996, he served as the Information Manager for the debut of softball in the Olympics. |
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